The Classmate PC (left) is an Intel-designed laptop with a 7-inch screen and flash memory instead of a hard drive. It is designed for use by youths in developing countries.
\r\n\r\nTeachers will be able to conduct lessons on laptops while students follow on the Classmates. If students try to surf the Web while class is in session, the computer will block them and warn them politely to pay attention.
Here is the Classmate PC folded up. Intel CEO Paul Otellini showed off a similar one in May, but it was blue.
The Affordable PC, another Intel-designed computer, comes with the basics and cannot be upgraded. With Linux (Mandrake here), it can cost as little as $220.
This is a gamer PC for China’s Internet cafes. Roughly one-quarter of Internet cafe patrons have PCs at home, according to Intel. Home, however, is also where mom, dad and grandparents are. Thus, the cafes serve a social function.
\r\n\r\nThe PCs contain software that lets an administrator block certain Web sites. In the West, this would be considered censorship. In China, cafe owners end up in jail if they don’t use the software.
Bill Detwiler is the Editor for Technical Content and Ecosystem at Celonis. He is the former Editor in Chief of TechRepublic and previous host of TechRepublic's Dynamic Developer podcast and Cracking Open, CNET and TechRepublic's popular online show. Previously, Bill was an IT manager in the social research and energy industries. He has bachelor's and master's degrees from the University of Louisville, where he has also lectured on computer crime and crime prevention.
